> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.clickwheel.fm/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Requirements

> What you need to run clickwheel, including supported Macs, iPods, and audio formats.

clickwheel is a local, single-tenant tool: it runs on your Mac and works with
your library and iPod in place. Here's what it expects.

## System

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="macOS" icon="apple">
    macOS only. Mounting and writing the iPod use macOS disk tools.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Python 3.11+" icon="python">
    Python 3.11 through 3.14, installed via [pipx](https://pipx.pypa.io/).
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Supported iPods

clickwheel writes the **iTunesDB** format used by the click-wheel iPod line,
with **stock firmware**, over **USB**. The **iPod Classic** is the primary,
tested target; other models from the same era that use the same format should
work too:

* **iPod Classic**
* **iPod** 4th and 5th gen, including photo and video
* **iPod mini**
* **iPod nano**, 1st through 5th gen

Not sure which you have? See Apple's [Identify your iPod
model](https://support.apple.com/en-us/103823).

<Note>
  **iPod touch and iOS devices aren't supported**, nor the touchscreen nano
  6th/7th gen (different on-device database).
</Note>

clickwheel expects the iPod at `/Volumes/IPOD` and assumes 64 GB. Override with
`ipod_mount` and `ipod_capacity_gb`, see [Configuration](/reference/configuration).

## Audio formats

| Format             | On the iPod? | Notes                                                                                      |
| ------------------ | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| MP3, AAC/M4A, ALAC | Yes          | Played natively by stock firmware.                                                         |
| FLAC               | Skipped      | Stock firmware can't play it, so it's excluded from sync. Your FLACs stay in your library. |

## Optional integrations

Everything below is optional and off until you set it up. The base install,
including [`fix`](/guides/fix-metadata) metadata repair, needs none of it.

| Integration                        | Extra          | Credentials                         |
| ---------------------------------- | -------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| [Plex / Plexamp](/guides/plex)     | `[plex]`       | Server URL + token                  |
| [Apple Music](/guides/apple-music) | `[applemusic]` | MusicKit key (paid Apple Developer) |
| [Last.fm](/guides/scrobbling)      | none           | API key                             |
| [MCP server](/concepts/mcp-server) | `[mcp]`        | none                                |